For the English footballer born 1986 see Charlie Henry (footballer)

Charlie Henry (footballer)

Charlie Henry is an English footballer who plays for Luton Town. He is known for his rapid speed, nimble feet and trademark 'double somersault' goal celebrations...

Charles Anthony Henry (born 13 February 1962) is an English former professional footballer, born in Acton, London

Acton, London

Acton is a district of west London, England, located in the London Borough of Ealing. It is situated west of Charing Cross.At the time of the 2001 census, Acton, comprising the wards of East Acton, Acton Central, South Acton and Southfield, had a population of 53,689 people...

, who played in the Football League

The Football League

The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...

 for Swindon Town

Swindon Town F.C.

Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...

, Torquay United

Torquay United F.C.

Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...

, Northampton Town

Northampton Town F.C.

Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season...

 and Aldershot

Aldershot F.C.

Aldershot Football Club was an English Football League club, which was wound up in the High Court in March 1992. They became the first Football League club since Accrington Stanley to resign from the League during the course of a season. The club was nicknamed the Shots for both the last syllable...

.

Henry began his career as an apprentice with Swindon Town

Swindon Town F.C.

Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...

, turning professional in February 1980. He made his league debut as a second-half substitute for Brian Hughes, against Reading

Reading F.C.

Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...

 at Elm Park

Elm Park (stadium)

Elm Park was a football stadium in the West Reading district of the English town of Reading. It was the home of Reading Football Club from 1896 until 1998, when they moved to the new Madejski Stadium....

 on 30 August 1980.

Originally a full-back, Henry was converted into an attacking central midfielder by Swindon manager Lou Macari

Lou Macari

Luigi "Lou" Macari is a Scottish former footballer and football manager of Italian descent.-Playing career:...

, and went to score 27 goals for the "Robins" in 269 games. He was the top goalscorer in the Fourth Division

Football League Fourth Division

The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...

 championship-winning side in the 1984–85 season, but fell out of favour and joined Torquay United

Torquay United F.C.

Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...

 on loan in February 1987, playing six games as Stuart Morgan

Stuart Morgan

Stuart Edward Morgan is a Welsh former professional footballer and football manager. A central defender, he made 222 appearances in the Football League playing for Torquay United, Reading, Colchester United and A.F.C. Bournemouth...

's side battled against relegation

Promotion and relegation

In many sports leagues around the world, promotion and relegation is a process that takes place at the end of each season. Through it, teams are transferred between divisions based on their performance that season...

 with little money for new signings.

He joined Northampton Town

Northampton Town F.C.

Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season...

 on loan the following month, but returned to Swindon and played in the play-off final at the end of the season, scoring from 20 yards against Gillingham

Gillingham F.C.

Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium...

 as Swindon won promotion

Promotion and relegation

In many sports leagues around the world, promotion and relegation is a process that takes place at the end of each season. Through it, teams are transferred between divisions based on their performance that season...

 to the Second Division

Football League Second Division

From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...

.

He left the County Ground

County Ground, Swindon

The County Ground is a stadium located near the town centre of Swindon, England. It is home to Swindon Town Football Club and has been for over a century.The current capacity is 15,728, all-seated...

 before the 1989–90 season, joining Aldershot

Aldershot F.C.

Aldershot Football Club was an English Football League club, which was wound up in the High Court in March 1992. They became the first Football League club since Accrington Stanley to resign from the League during the course of a season. The club was nicknamed the Shots for both the last syllable...

 for a fee of £25,000. He scored 18 times in 81 league games over the following two seasons, and a further 2 goals from 35 games which were expunged from his record as Aldershot's financial problems saw them fail to complete the 1991–92 season. He later played non-league football for Cheltenham Town

Cheltenham Town F.C.

Cheltenham Town Football Club is an English football club playing in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. Founded in 1887, the team has played at four different grounds, namely Agg-Gardner's Recreation Ground, Carter's Field and now the Abbey Business Stadium, although it is more...

 and Fairford Town

Fairford Town F.C.

Fairford Town F.C. is a football club based in Fairford, Gloucestershire in England. The club was established in 1891 and joined the Hellenic League Division One in 1970. They are currently members of the Hellenic Football League Premier Division...

.

Henry's son Leigh was on Swindon's books as a youngster, but the closest he came to League football was as an unused substitute; he went on to join non-league club Swindon Supermarine

Swindon Supermarine F.C.

Swindon Supermarine F.C. are a football club based in Swindon, Wiltshire, England. Currently they are members of the Southern League Premier Division...

.

External links

• League stats at Neil Brown's site